Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2013 | Page 32

“What we are asking is simply a green
light, a commitment from the State.”

Marching Order Needed
In Louko’s mind, building the FinnooKivenlahti stretch would give Helsinki time
to get their plans for Eastern metro expansion ready. This means that after the bonus
stretch west is up and running, the construction crews could head east and start work
in Helsinki.
“In this scenario, there would be plenty of work for metro construction professionals in the Helsinki Metropolitan Region
until 2030, which should make the situation attractive for also international players who don’t want to commit to short-term
projects.”
Even if the Government wouldn’t look
favourably upon Espoo’s request, Finnoo
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station can be added to the core western
metroline without much difficulty. At present, this seaside neighbourhood is home to
about 3,000 people, but it has been underdeveloped due to water purification activities in the area. Now, as the water purification plant is shifting operations elsewhere,
there is suddenly more room for development – in many fronts.

Finnoo: Marina City Emerging
Project Director Torsti Hokkanen from the
City of Espoo says that Finnoo could accommodate as many as 20,000 residents (or rather, 15,000 inhabitants for Finnoo and 5,000
for the neighbouring Kaitaa.) According to
Hokkanen, the northern part of Finnoo will
be largely defined by the coming metro station and its surroundings. There are plans
which allow for high-rise construction by

the metro station: the highest of these towers could reach 40 stories.
The new-and-improved Finnoo is also
looking to fully explore its access to the sea
in the south. Presently, there is already an
active boat harbour – accommodating 1,100
boats, it is the largest of its kind in the metropolitan area – and the harbour concept will
be fine-tuned, as well. With a new focus on
service orientation, the harbour could double its current boat capacity.
Olavi Louko talks about the “last great
shore area in Espoo”, promising that the new
area will be developed with all due consideration.
“We want to build a Marina City, with
a definite seaside focus.”

Pushing Innovation
The City held an international architectural